4 TERRITORY OF WISCONSIN, Secretary's Office, Madison, Nov. 4, 1847. I hereby certify that the acts and resolutions contained in this pamphlet, have been compared with the originals in this office, and that they appear to have been correctly printed. In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand [L. S. and affixed the seal of the Territory of Wisconsin, the day and year aforesaid. JOHN CATLIN, Secretary of Wisconsin Territory. Ex. Doc. No. 56. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. CORRESPONDENCE BETWEEN THE THE SECRETARY OF WAR AND GENERALS SCOTT AND TAYLOR, AND BETWEEN GENERAL SCOTT AND MR. TRIST. MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, TRANSMITTING Reports from the Secretary of State and Secretary of War, with the accompanying documents, in compliance with the resolution of the House of Representatives, of the 7th February, 1848. MARCH 20, 1848. Laid upon the table, and ordered to be printed. To the House of Representatives: I transmit herewith reports from the Secretary of State and the Secretary of War, with the accompanying documents, in compliance with the resolution of the House of Representatives, of the 7th February, 1848, requesting the President to communicate to that House," copies of all correspondence between the Secretary of War and Major General Scott, and between the Secretary of War and Major General Taylor, and between Major General Scott and N. P. Trist, late commissioner of the United States to Mexico, and between the latter and the Secretary of State, which has not heretofore been published, and the publication of which may not be incompatible with the public interest." JAMES K. POLK. WASHINGTON, March 20, 1848. REPORT FROM THE SECRETARY OF STATE. 21/T/TVR TO JOH TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: 7012 The Secretary of referred that part of the to whom was resolution of the House of Representatives, of the seventh ultimo, requesting the President to communicate to that House, "copies of all correspondence between Major General Scott and N. P. Trist, late commissioner of the United States in Mexico, and between the latter and the Secretary of State, which has not heretofore been published, and the publication of which may not be incompatible with the public interest," has the honor to lay before the President the accompanying papers, and to report that they comprise all the Scott and Mr. ben the latter and this department relating thereto, on record or on file in the department. All which is respectfully submitted. JAMES BUCHANAN. LIST OF PAPERS. Mr. Trist to Mr. Buchanan, May 7, 1847, (extract.) The same to Mr. Buchanan, June 3, 1847, (extract.) 10 ne. SIR: Mr. Trist to Mr. Buchanan. [Extract.] A VERA CRUZ, Hon. JAMES BUCHANAN, Colonel Wilson left it entirely to me to determine every point in regard to the despatches for General Scott, and the result of my consideration of the various alternatives that presented themselves was, that they left here (including, of course, the letter of the minister of foreign relations) yesterday, about 5, p. m., in charge of Lieutenant Lacey, of the Tennessee dragoons, and the despatches are, before this time, doubtless, in the hands of General Scott, (at Puebla, in all probability,) together with a letter from me, of which I had no time to take a copy. #i Mr. Trist to Mr. Buchanan. [ No. 4. ] JALAPA, May 21, 1847. SIR: I have the honor to transmit herewith a very extraordinary letter, (if, indeed, anything from his pen can properly be so designated,) received by me from General Scott, together with a copy of my reply and of a letter enclosing that reply. Although the explicit order delivered to him in the latter, on behalf of the President, with respect to the transmission of the communication from yourself to the minister of foreign affairs, may perhaps prove effectual, I beg leave to suggest for consideration whether it would not be advisable to despatch to General Scott a special order, through the War Department, confirming the one thus delivered by me; for, from the officer capable of writing such a letter, under any circumstances and, above all, such as it was written in, so to ally wanting in anything like provocation-I do not know what anticipate or not to anticipate. Excepting a report which came in here last evening, that General Herrera has been elected President, and that this event is considered favorable to peace, no news whatever has been received here since my arrival. When we reach Puebla-for which I shall set out to-morrow afternoon with General Twiggs's division-I hope to have it in my power to give at least some account of political affairs and prospects, whether favorable or unfavorable. A youth |